Method and apparatus for gaming based upon a paper ticket

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus are provided for gaming based upon an instant-win ticket. The method and apparatus are for use with tickets of the type having a durable substrate carrying a predetermined hidden indicator indicating a prize amount, such as scratch-off lottery tickets. The apparatus includes an electronically controlled payment acceptor to automatically accept fungible payments, such as currency or tokens, from a user. An electronically controlled display, such as a slot-machine style set of rotating cylinders, is adapted to display continuously changing information to the user during game play. A controller is connected to the display and to the payment acceptor. The controller is adapted to control operation of the display and distribution of fungible prizes to a gamer, all in response to a prize amount read from the instant-win ticket. The apparatus includes a ticket-reader connected to the controller. The ticket reader is adapted to read the instant-win ticket and determine the prize amount indicated by the hidden indicator. The apparatus may be used to simulate a slot machine, with prizes determined by a paper ticket.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e)to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/325,294, filed Sep. 26, 2001,which application is specifically incorporated herein, in its entirety,by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus forplaying a game of chance, and more particularly, to a method andapparatus for simulating a slot-machine when playing a paper ticketgame, such as a lottery.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] The term “slot machine” is generally used herein to refer to anyautomatic machine designed to accept cash from a user in exchange forplaying a game of chance, and to pay a prize to the user depending onthe result of the game. The results of the game of chance are determinedby the slot machine. The user is not able to influence the probabilityof winning, although some machines may provide the user with limitedinfluence over individual game results (i.e., provide a “nudge”function) to make playing the machine more appealing. Cash may beaccepted in any suitable form, including as redeemable tokens, currencyor electronic credit. Similarly, prizes may be paid in any suitableform.

[0006] Las-Vegas style slot machines use spinning cylinders, flashinglights, bells or musical sounds, clinking tokens, and the like, to makeplaying a game of chance more engaging. Such machines are popular withgamblers the world over. Over the years, gamblers have come to expect aslot machine to typically include a pull arm for initiating a game,three or four spinning cylinders with colorful symbols, and a hopperinto which winnings are deposited in the form of currency or tokens. Inmodern slot machines, the payout ratio of the machines can beelectronically set. The outcome of each game is randomly determined, butthe operator is able to determine the percentage of money deposited thatwill be paid out, so that over the long run, the house always wins. Mostgamblers recognize that slot machine gaming is, over the long run,designed to be a losing proposition for the player. Nevertheless, manyare willing to spend long hours playing slot machines in an endeavor tobeat the odds. The engaging and popular design of Los-Vegas stylemachines deserves much of the credit for creating this willingness toplay.

[0007] Many institutions, such as state governments, sell paper gamingtickets as a fund-raising technique. In particular, scratch-off lotterytickets are popular with the public, and raise modest amounts of revenuefor state coffers. The use of paper tickets permits the issuer to easilycontrol the payout ratio while allowing a large number of peopledispersed over a large geographic area to play the same game.Scratch-off tickets became popular as a way to allow purchasers of thetickets to “instantly” determine the outcome of the game. Thisinnovation has enjoyed only limited success, perhaps partially becausemost people quickly become bored with scratching lottery tickets, and somuch the more when they understand that their chances of winning arepoor. Lower ticket sales, in turn, make it more difficult for thelottery operator to cover overhead costs, and payout ratios areaccordingly diminished, making the game still less appealing. Yet manypeople who seldom, if ever, purchase scratch-off lottery tickets arewilling to spend large amounts of money playing slot machines incasinos. Such people might be willing to play paper ticket games if thestyle of play were more engaging and entertaining. It is desirable,therefore, to provide a method and apparatus for this purpose.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides a method and apparatus for makingit more interesting and entertaining to play games of chance using aninstant-win (e.g., scratch-off) paper ticket. A ticket-reading machineis provided, that outwardly appears to be a slot machine, and morepreferably, a Las-Vegas style slot machine. In particular, the machineincludes a plurality of spinning cylinders with gaming symbols, or anelectronic display that emulates spinning cylinders. The machineincludes a source of lottery tickets (such as a roll of tickets). A userinitiates play as if operating a slot machine, such as by inserting atoken or currency, and pulling a lever. When play is initiated, thecylinders of the machine spin. The machine reads the next ticket on theroll, determines whether the ticket is a winning ticket, and if so, theamount won. If the ticket is a losing ticket, the cylinders stopspinning at a losing combination, and no prize is paid. If the ticket isa winning ticket, the cylinders stop spinning at a combination thatcorrelates to the amount of the prize. The prize is paid, preferably inthe form of currency or tokens, into a hopper, just like a traditionalslot machine.

[0009] Variations on operation of the system may include playingmultiple tickets at one time. For example, a user may elect to play anynumber of tickets that have been paid for in a single spin. In suchcase, the machine reads all of the indicated tickets and pays out anamount equal to the total ticket winnings.

[0010] The invention thereby provides many benefits for the operators ofpaper ticket games. Since the player never needs to actually see theticket, it does not need to be visually appealing, and the cost ofprinting tickets may be reduced. In the alternative, the machine may bedesigned to read conventional scratch-off lottery tickets. In such case,the lottery operator does not need to invest in the gaming machinery,and may leave that investment decision to individual operators at thepoint of sale. In either case, the cost of operating the game shoulddecrease, or at least, not increase, while the volume of tickets soldshould increase. The increased volume and lower costs may permit higherpayout ratios, attracting still more interest. Gamblers who enjoyplaying slot machines will have less incentive to travel to a casino todo so, and will be more likely to play lottery ticket games, from whichprofits may be returned to the public.

[0011] A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus forgaming based on a paper ticket will be afforded to those skilled in theart, as well as a realization of additional advantages and objectsthereof, by a consideration of the following detailed description of thepreferred embodiment. Reference will be made to the appended sheets ofdrawings which will first be described briefly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing elements of an exemplaryapparatus according to the invention.

[0013]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary ticket readeraccording to the invention.

[0014]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary apparatus accordingto the invention, that is designed to simulate a Las-Vegas style slotmachine.

[0015]FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing exemplary steps of a methodaccording to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0016] The present invention provides a method and apparatus for gamingbased on a durable ticket, that overcomes the limitations of the priorart. In the detailed description that follows, like element numerals areused to indicate like elements appearing in one or more of the figures.

[0017] A block diagram showing elements of an gaming machine 100according to the invention is shown in FIG. 1. Gaming machine 100 isadapted to award prizes based on a prize amount indicated by a“instant-win” ticket 118. Machine 100 may be enclosed in a console, suchas in one resembling a slot machine. In the alternative, machine 100 maybe arranged in any desired manner that permits interaction with a gamerand real-time play based on information printed on ticket 118. Ticket118 may be inserted into machine 100 by a user, handled by an acceptordevice 108 and read by ticket reader 106. More preferably, machine 100contains a supply of equivalent gaming tickets 116 accessible by ticketreader 106.

[0018] It should be appreciated that instant-win ticket 118 (and tickets116) may be any durable ticket, coupon or other token article on which aprize amount (which may be zero) is indicated by a predetermined hiddenindicator, such as hidden characters 119. Thus, the ticket's prizeamount is predetermined at the time the ticket is made, but no prize isawarded until the ticket is played by revealing the hidden indicator.Lottery “scratcher” tickets are an example of a type of instant-winticket, in which the prize indicator is hidden by an opaque removablefilm. Other methods for hiding an indicator on a ticket or other articleexist, and a machine according to the invention may be adapted for usewith such articles.

[0019] Machine 100 includes a ticket reader 106 connected to acontroller 102. Controller 102 is connected to a display 104 and apayment acceptor 108. It should be appreciated that the ticket reader106 may be any suitable device for revealing the hidden indicator onticket 118 (or tickets 116), and thereby determining the ticket prizeamount. It is not necessarily limited to a device for reading ascratch-off lottery ticket. For example, it may be a device for readingcoded magnetic media, on which prize amounts may be encrypted. Ingeneral, the invention is not concerned with specific mechanical,electrical, or operating details of machine 100 such as may beappropriately selected by one of ordinary skill based on the disclosureherein.

[0020] By way of example only, and not by way of limitation, a suitableticket reader 150 for reading a scratch-off ticket is shown in FIG. 2.Ticket 160 comprises a durable layer 162, covered by an opaque filmlayer 164. Although the term “paper ticket” is used, the invention isnot limited to the use of paper tickets, and any durable material may beused. Layer 164 may be a layer of foil or other reflective materialadhered to substrate 164, covering pre-imprinted characters thatindicate a prize amount. Ticket 160 may be inserted into reader 150 asindicated by arrow 170, and removed as indicated by arrow 171. Theticket may be guided and driven through the machine by rollers 152.Opaque layer 164 may be removed by an abrasive wheel 154, or any othersuitable method. Debris from the removed layer may be suctioned away asindicated by arrow 172. It may be advantageous to verify that the opaquelayer 164 is present and undamaged before accepting the ticket as valid,to ensure that used tickets are not re-used. In the alternative, ticketsmay be marked with ink or punched after being used, and such marks maybe checked for before accepting a ticket as valid. Sensors (not shown)may be provided for fraud detection, if desired. Characters that arerevealed by removal of layer 164 are read by any suitable sensor, suchas optical reader 156. The characters may be in a machine-readableformat, such as bar coded. In addition, or in the alternative, therevealed characters may convey encrypted information, for greatersecurity.

[0021] In an embodiment of the invention, a gaming ticket with noremovable opaque layer may be used, because modern coding and encryptiontechniques may render it unnecessary for concealing prize indicators.After reading and decrypting encrypted prize indicators from a ticket, agaming machine according to this embodiment may translate the prizeindicators to a human-readable format. The translated indicators may beprinted on the ticket or on a separate receipt, if it is desired to givethe user a record of the gaming transaction.

[0022] Referring again to FIG. 1, machine 100 includes a device 180 forautomatically accepting payment 120 from a prospective gamer. Payment120 may be in any acceptable format, including but not limited to atoken 122, coins of currency 124, a bill of currency 126, or a magneticcard 128 configured for credit or debit purchasing. Various devices forautomatically receiving and handling payments of such types are wellknown in the art. In addition, or in the alternative, device 108 (or anadjacent separate device, not shown) may accept a gaming ticket 118 forplay in the machine, and pass it to ticket reader 106. However, itshould generally be preferable to not accept tickets from users and drawthem exclusively from an internally-located source, such as ticketsupply 116. This should be more convenient, more secure, and easier toimplement, at least in the general case. Controller 102 may be connectedto acceptor 108 to receive information about the amount of paymentreceived, or for any other desired reason.

[0023] When payment is in the form of coins or tokens, the paymentacceptor may transfer accepted coins or tokens to a prize holder 110,which may take the form of a currency bin. In the alternative, or inaddition, the prize holder 110 may be stocked with prizes duringservicing of machine 100. In general, any fungible prizes may be used,such as the forms of payment 120 referenced above. Coins and tokens suchas used in Las-Vegas style slot machines provide the advantage ofgenerating a clinking sound when dispensed, to help hold the interest ofthe gamer. Prizes are dispensed from the prize holder 110 by a prizedispenser 112, operated by controller 102. Again, many suitable prizeholders and dispensers are known in the art, and any suitable design maybe employed. In the alternative, or in addition to a prize holder,machine 100 may award prizes by printing and dispensing a redeemablevoucher. One of ordinary skill may equip the gaming machine with anysuitable printer (not shown) for this purpose.

[0024] Gaming machine 100 further comprises a display 108 for simulatinga game of chance, connected to and controlled by controller 102. In anembodiment of the invention, display 108 comprises a Las Vegas-stylebank of cylinders (reels) imprinted with gaming symbols. In such case,the reels may be spun in response to a gamer pushing a button or pullingon a lever arm, as traditionally done with Vegas-style machines.Movement of the reels may be controlled by a suitable motion-controltechnique, so that the reels are caused to stop in a positioncorresponding to a prize amount indicated on a corresponding gamingticket or tickets. In the alternative, or in addition, display 108 maycomprise a video or flat panel display for display of any desiredsimulated game of chance, wherein the outcome is determined by a prizeamount indicated on ticket 118 (or tickets 116). Of course, onealternative is to simply display the amount of the prize won beforepaying it out. A gamer might also be given the option of crediting theamount won to another play or plays.

[0025] Users may be presented with various options for modifying thegame. One option may be to wager more than the minimum amount on a giventicket. For example, a one-dollar ticket may be wagered as a ten-dollarticket, with the prize amount multiplied. Another option may be to wagermore than one ticket at a time. For example, total prizes for tenconsecutive tickets may be awarded in a single play. Combinations ofdifferent types of tickets may be played together for special multipliedprizes. Some tickets may award a large number of free spins each havinga predetermined probability of winning. Complex levels of prizes may beawarded that increase as more tickets are played in a machine, therebyallowing individual machines to build up large “jackpots.” Such options,and many others that may be conceived and implemented on the gamingmachine, may greatly increase the excitement and potential winningsassociated with “paper ticket” play.

[0026] Control of the gaming functions of machine 100—comprisingsimulating games of chance based on ticket values and controllingpayouts—is by controller 102. Controller 102 may comprise any suitableprogrammable controller. It may comprise a single microprocessor, or anynumber of interconnected microprocessors. All control functions need notbe integrated into a single “box,” to the contrary, the intelligence ofmachine 100 may be distributed among its components to any desireddegree, without departing from the scope of the invention. It should beapparent, however, that distributed intelligent components shouldcommunicate with each other in a coordinated fashion to perform theintended functions of machine 100. For conceptual simplicity, it isconvenient to refer to the central control functions as residing in a“controller,” whether single or multiple processing devices are used.

[0027] Controller 102 may be connected to a tone generator 115. Tonegenerator 115 may be used to play bells, chimes, musical tones, and thelike during gaming play, as known in the art of gaming machines. Suchsounds may engage the interest of the gamer and others in the vicinity.

[0028] Controller 102 may also be connected to a user input device 114,or any number of such input devices. On a Las Vegas style machine, oneexample of an input device is the pull arm that is used to initiate aspin of the reels. One such pull arm is shown as item 210 in FIG. 3.Other examples include push buttons 208 (also in FIG. 3), keypads, touchscreens (not shown), or any other desired input device.

[0029] An exemplary gaming machine 200 according to the invention,designed to resemble a Las-Vegas style slot machine, is shown in FIG. 3.Machine 200 comprises a console 203 enclosing the elements of themachine. A battery of reels 204 is provided for display of game results.Movement of the reels in battery 204 is controlled by a controller 204.Game play is initiated by inserting payment in slot 212 and actuatinglever arm 210 to read a selected ticket and spin the reels. Beforespinning the reels, a user may select a desired type of gaming ticketfrom window 218, where ticket rolls 220 of different types aredisplayed. Selection of a ticket type may be by pressing a correspondingone of buttons 208. Spent tickets are returned to the gamer viadischarge slot 214. Prizes are deposited in hopper 216. Machine 200merely exemplifies a Las-Vegas style slot machine according to anembodiment of the invention. A gaming machine according to the inventionmay be constructed in any other desired style. For example, the displaymay be in the form of a video game, with the game of chance simulated bya video character overcoming various hazards to win prizes at differentlevels. When certain levels are reached, prizes are paid.

[0030] In summary of the foregoing, exemplary steps of a method 300according to the invention are shown in FIG. 4, for paying a prize basedon a hidden indicator recorded on a gaming ticket. At step 302, paymentis accepted from a user. At step 304, a suitable gaming ticket isselected based on the deposited amount and any options selected by theuser. The gaming ticket may be selected from a plurality of differenttypes of gaming tickets presented as choices to the user. At step 306,the gaming ticket having a hidden indicator is read to determine a prizeamount indicated by the hidden indicator. At step 308, the ticket ismarked to indicate that it has been read. At step 310, simulated gameplay is determined as needed to achieve a game result based on the prizeamount. The game result may comprise a combination of symbols. At step312, a display of a gaming machine is simulated until the game result isachieved. In an embodiment of the invention, a machine of a type thatrandomly selects a combination of symbols from a plurality of symbolcombinations, and pays a predetermined prize indicated by the selectedcombination of symbols is simulated. The predetermined game result isone of the winning combinations for the simulated machine. At theconclusion of the simulated play, the game result is displayed. If theresult is a winning result, the predetermined prize is paid at step 314.

[0031] Simulated machines may include Las Vegas style slot machines. Insuch case, the simulating step 312 may include initiating the spinningstep in response to a lever pulled by the user. In addition, the payingstep 314 may comprise releasing a plurality of coins into a hopper.

[0032] In case of a scratch-off paper ticket, the reading step 306 mayinclude removing an opaque film covering the hidden indicator from thegaming ticket. Step 306 may also include optically sensing the hiddenindicator.

[0033] In an embodiment of the invention, step 306 includes reading aplurality of gaming tickets, and calculating a cumulative sum prizeamount by summing a prize amount indicated by each gaming ticket. Inthis embodiment, determining step 310 may include determining a gameresult based on the cumulative sum prize amount.

[0034] Having thus described a preferred embodiment of method andapparatus for gaming based on a paper ticket, it should be apparent tothose skilled in the art that certain advantages of the within systemhave been achieved. It should also be appreciated that variousmodifications, adaptations, and alternative embodiments thereof may bemade within the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example,an apparatus designed to look and operate like a Las Vegas style slotmachine has been illustrated, but it should be apparent that theinventive concepts described above would be equally applicable to anyother type of slot machine. It should also be apparent that theinvention is not limited to use with lottery scratch-off tickets orother paper forms, and that any tangible medium for carrying concealedand predetermined gaming information may be used, without departing fromthe scope of the invention. The invention is defined by the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for gaming based upon an instant-winticket, the instant-win ticket comprising a durable substrate carrying apredetermined hidden indicator indicating a prize amount, the apparatuscomprising: an electronically controlled payment acceptor adapted toautomatically accept fungible payments from a gamer; an electronicallycontrolled display adapted to display continuously changing informationto the gamer; a controller connected to the display and to the paymentacceptor, the controller adapted to control information displayed on thedisplay and distribution of fungible prizes to a gamer, all in responseto a prize amount read from the instant-win ticket; and a ticket-readerconnected to the controller, the ticket reader adapted to read theinstant-win ticket and determine the prize amount indicated by thehidden indicator.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising a ticket dispenser adapted to dispense the instant-win ticketto the ticket reader in operative response to a deposit of payment unitsin the payment acceptor.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe fungible payments comprise instant-win tickets, and the ticketreader is adapted to receive the instant-win tickets from the paymentacceptor.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fungibleprizes are selected from electronic payments, tokens, redeemablevouchers, coins, or bills of currency.
 5. The apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising a prize dispenser adapted to dispense thefungible prizes from a secure prize holder adjacent to the display, inoperative response to the controller.
 6. The apparatus according toclaim 5, wherein the secure prize holder is a currency bin.
 7. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display comprises aplurality of cylinders imprinted with various symbols.
 8. The apparatusaccording to claim 7, wherein the controller is adapted to controlrotation of the plurality of cylinders to simulate operation of aLas-Vegas style slot machine.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the ticket reader is adapted to read the instant-win ticket byremoving an opaque film from the durable substrate to reveal the hiddenindicator.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising atone generator adapted to generate a variety of tones as directed by thecontroller.
 11. A method for paying a prize based on a hidden indicatorrecorded on a gaming ticket, the method comprising the steps of:accepting payment from a user; reading a gaming ticket having a hiddenindicator to determine a prize amount indicated by the hidden indicator;determining a game result based on the prize amount, the game resultcomprising a combination of symbols; simulating a display of a slotmachine of a type that randomly selects a combination of symbols from aplurality of symbol combinations, and pays a predetermined prizeindicated by the selected combination of symbols, wherein the gameresult is a winning combination; displaying the game result; and payingthe prize amount.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising markingthe gaming ticket to indicate that the prize amount has already beendetermined.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the simulating stepcomprises spinning cylinders of a simulated Las Vegas style slotmachine.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the simulating step furthercomprises initiating the spinning step in response to a lever pulled bythe user.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the paying step comprisesreleasing a plurality of coins into a hopper.
 16. The method of claim11, wherein the reading step further comprises removing an opaque filmcovering the hidden indicator from the gaming ticket.
 17. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the reading step further comprises optically sensingthe hidden indicator.
 18. The method of claim 11, further comprisingselecting the gaming ticket from a plurality of different types ofgaming tickets presented as choices to the user.
 19. The method of claim11, wherein the reading step further comprises reading a plurality ofgaming tickets, and calculating a cumulative sum prize amount by summingprize amounts indicated by each gaming ticket.
 20. The method of claim19, wherein the determining step further comprises determining the gameresult based on the cumulative sum prize amount.